BAMYAN CITY (PAN): One hundred Afghan National Police (ANP) recruits completed their professional training in central Bamyan province on Wednesday, officials said.
But authorities said two battalions of army soldiers and Public Order Police and hundreds of policewomen were needed for maintaining election security in the province.
The 100 policemen achieved their graduation certificates from the education department at the Bamyan police headquarters.
Col. Mohammad Ali Lakzy, the acting police chief, told Pajhwok Afghan News he had deployed police personnel to areas with high and medium-level security threats to secure next year’s election.
He estimated two battalions of the Afghan army, Public Order Police and 300 policewomen were needed to ensure security on the voting day, April 5. Currently there are only 26 female police personnel in Bamyan.
The acting police chief said 50 of the graduating police recruits were from Bamyan and as many from Daikundi province. They completed a two-month training course had been established in Bamyan.
On the occasion, the graduates took oath of staying loyal to their work and serving the people.
Addressing the police graduation ceremony, Governor Ghulam Ali Wahdat hoped they would help protect civilians. “I ask all policemen in Bamyan and Daikundi to stay neutral during the electoral process.”
Syed Sifat, one of the graduates, said: “I’m happy with the completion of the professional course and remain committed to serving the people.”